Police take Kittikorn Wikaha, 26, (circled) to re-enact the crime of stabbing his victim to death for an iPhone on Sukhonthasawat Rd in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district on Jan 6. Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard

Kittikorn Wikaha, 26, of Sa Kaeo province, and Supatchai Charnsri, 25, of Uthai Thani were sentenced for the murder of Wasin Lueangjaem, 26, on Sukhonthasawat Rd on the night of Jan 4.

Although both men admitted to the crime the court did not commute the sentence, reasoning they had to confess because surveillance camera footage showed them in the act.

The court also judged it was unlikely the two men would reform their behaviour because they had committed many crimes.

The two were charged with theft causing death, carrying a weapon in a public place, and murder to conceal a crime.

The security camera footage showed Mr Wasin being attacked by the two men, who approached him on a motorcycle while he was using his phone.

Mr Wasin is seen fighting back and Kittikorn then stabbed Wasin in the neck, upon which the victim falls to the ground. The attackers stole only the victim’s iPhone 6 and left his wallet behind.

The suspects allegedly also committed three other crimes on the night of Jan 4 and in the early hours of Jan 5.

On Jan 4, they allegedly tried and failed to snatch a bag from a woman on Soi Sukhonthasawat 27. Eight minutes later they murdered Mr Wasin and took his iPhone. A few hours later the two allegedly stole an iPhone from a woman on Soi Sukhonthasawat 9.

They are also accused of later robbing another woman and making off with her mobile phone and B5,000 from outside Synphaet Hospital in Kannayao district.

Since the age of 13, Kittikorn has been jailed eight times for trespassing, physical assault and drug abuse. He had been released from prison in December, shortly before the murder in January.